Costco has joined a growing group of major companies suing the Trump administration over tariffs, asking a court to allow the company to recover duties if the Supreme Court rules the import levies unlawful.
The high court is considering the legality of tariffs that apply to nearly all imports. During oral arguments last month, justices signaled skepticism about the administration’s legal justification. Lower courts previously determined that the administration improperly used emergency economic powers to impose most of the new duties.
Dozens of businesses across industries have filed similar suits, hoping to recoup what they paid if the tariffs are struck down. Plaintiffs include household names such as Revlon, Bumble Bee and Kawasaki. Trade law experts say larger firms are now joining litigation that had initially been led by smaller companies, bringing more attention and resources to the challenge.
Costco’s complaint was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade. The company did not disclose how much it has paid in tariffs and warned that even if the Supreme Court invalidates the tariff program, it may not be able to recover all of the money it already remitted.
Company executives previously said that roughly one-third of Costco’s U.S. merchandise is imported, mainly nonfood items, underscoring why the retailer has a stake in the outcome.
NPR’s Scott Horsley contributed to this report.